Jamal Crawford to Hawks posted by john howard

The Hawks appear to be sending both backup point guards to Golden State for Jamal Crawford.  This brings makes signing Mike Bibby more imperative.  To do so, they may not match offers that Marvin Williams receives.  Acie Law and Speedy Claxton both are being shipped.  Neither really played much last year.  Joe Johnson lead the team in assist even though he isn't a point guard.  I doubt they will use him as one.  Andre Miller and Jason Kidd are both available on the market.  My bet is on Bibby returning. Crawford could play the point, but he would be better off as the 2 guard.  He did average 4.4 assist along wth 19.7 points.  

For Golden State, this move is to cut salary.  They aren't getting anything in return.  Maybe a potential back up in Law but, not likely. Monte Eillis can play the point with CJ Watson backing him up.  Crawford played 55 games last year, so they are use to playing without him.  They free up cap room is all they did.

 Atlanta just got better.

Atlanta Hawks draft posted by john howard

The Atlanta Hawks had another good year. They keep taking steps closer to the Eastern finals.  To do so this year, they will have to deal with a lot of free agents.  Mike Bibby is the only starter that is a free agent and a very big key to this team.  Ronald Murray and Zach Pachulia were two key players off the bench that are also free agents.  Marvin Williams is a restricted free agent and will probably get a pretty good offer that Atlanta can match.  To keep things moving in the right direction, the Hawks have got to resign Bibby and not let Williams go either.  I don't think they will be able to keep all 4 players.  That's where we look at the draft.  Atlanta has the 19th and 49th picks.  The 19th pick could suit Atlanta well in the fact that in the past 14 years 9 bench players and 1 starter has come from that spot.  So, they should get someone off the bench.  The 49th pick has produced 3 bench players.  So, there is a shot there.  Today is a big day for many teams.  Atlanta's big day is still to come.Continue reading "Atlanta Hawks draft"

Atlanta Hawks summer posted by john howard

The Hawks continue to improve and will continue to improve providing the resign Mike Bibby.  The most important move they can make this summer is to retain the 31 year old point guard.  Last year he made 14million and they will have to be close to that to keep him.  If someone manages to lure him away, there is no viable option on the team. They have the 19th pick in the draft.  However, that won't yield them a player that is ready to step in.  There are three other options:

Jason Kidd would be a one or two year stop.  He would make the team better, but not enough to sacrifice the chemistry that is there with Bibby.

Andre Miller would be perhaps the best fit should Bibby leave.  If Bibby goes to Philly, expect Miller to arrive in Atlanta.

The most inriuging idea is Allen Iverson.  This guy might still have enough in the tank to take them another level higher.  It would be fun to watch.  Yet, the best bet might be to keep Bibby and find what everyone is looking for---an other inside scorer.

Manny being Manny: The Latest twist in the Steroid Saga posted by Chris Strickland

Steroids has officially gone postal.

The list of all-star players who have been revealed to be using steroids: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Alex Rodriguez, now.......MANNY RAMIREZ.

It makes sense when you think about it. The baggy uniform. The dreads to cover up his huge head (they all have huge heads). How he erupted last year when he was with the Red Sox and practically mauled a team assistant. How he always used to spend time in the Green Monster and no one would question what he was doing. This brings us to my theory.

My theory of why Manny started juicing is because upon signing with the Sox, at his press conference, he swore to the front office, the media, and the Fenway Faithful that he was going to BEAT THE YANKEES. I'm sure he woke up the next morning, in an empty Boston apartment full of scattered Tecates, and uttered..."What happened last night?" It's like when you're drunk and you get carried away, you end up doing something you regret. Either you make a bad dance move, throw the ping pong ball into some girl's boobs at beer pong, or in Manny's case, make a promise to beat the most bad-ass dynasty in baseball at the time. Oops.

So the next morning, Manny calls up his friend. Say his friend's name is, um..."Big Papi." Let's call him that for now. "Big Papi" offers Manny something that can help him beat the Yankees.

Manny: "What you got, ese?"

Papi: "Don't call me ese."

Manny: "Sorry. I'm just being myself."

Are the Atlanta Hawks allergic to playing Defense? posted by SportsJunkie

For the second game in a row the Hawks just stood on the floor and watched Lebron James fly through the air and do whatever wants every single quarter of the game.    Why did they even beat the Miami Heat if they were going to be so uncompetitive in Round 2?   The Hawks are playing right now to be on Radio Only for the next games because I'm sure hawks fans don't want to see two more blowouts.    Come on Atlanta try and look interested in advancing to the 3rd round and not just stand around looking confused when Lebron James has the ball.   Atleast try and get physical with Lebron and allow TV viewers to watch a good game since they pay a monthly cable bill.   Give me something for my money in Game 3 and not just put on a uniform to play the role of a statue for three hours.Continue reading "Are the Atlanta Hawks allergic to playing Defense?"

Playoff Excitement Part 2: Beasts of the East posted by Michael J. Shambaugh

In continuation of my post on 04.30.2009 it’s time to take a look at the East and everything it has brought us so far.  And to think, it’s only the first round!

Detroit Pistons versus Cleveland Cavaliers.  There’s quite a few of us who are still scratching our heads and trying to figure out where the positive for Detroit was in the Billups/Iverson trade.  Winning their games by an average of 15.5 points, Cleveland sent the Pistons home for the season with just one question: “How quick can we get Allen Iverson out of a Pistons jersey?”  A quick side note: Cleveland is averaging a higher winning margin on the road than they are at home this post-season.  That’s not good news for Miami or Atlanta.

Boston Celtics versus Chicago Bulls.  I can be the first one to admit that I did not think this was going to be one of the greatest first round matchups of all time.  You’ve got the defending champion Boston Celtics, with a record of 62 and 20, going up against the 41 and 41 young, high paced, Chicago Bulls.  We all saw this last year, with Atlanta and Boston going at it in seven games, but that was nothing like this series.  There have been six full games played as of this writing.  In those six games alone we’ve had 7 overtime periods, 5 games decided by 3 points or less, Chicago win in Boston, Boston win in Chicago, and 29 potential game tying/winning shot attempts in the final 24 seconds of regulation/overtime.  A good series?  Let’s just say, I’ll be watching Game 7.

Lakers' Fans Should be Worried. Period. posted by Hank Hill

Okay, Lakers' fans and bloggers (particularly C Strickland), the Lakers and Kobe should be worried because even if you do make the Finals, which the entire city of Boston thinks is a big if, (Denver/Houston/Portland would all give you a run), Cleveland is not your only issue.

The Celtics are doing exactly what they did last year and as you say, even you saw the utter demolition of LA last year. It could happen again and by another team; that's why sports rule...because you never know. And I'm not saying the Cs are on top of their game yet, but this is all what happened last year and history does have a way of repeating itself. Last year everyone said we would sweep the Atlanta Hawks; they took us 7. Then they said the Cs would sweep Cleveland, took us 7. And when everyone said it would go 7 against Detroit and LA, it was only 6 for the Pistons and LA!!! So even with no KG (who everyone thinks we don't have a chance to see play -- but as we have seen, "everyone" isn't always right), it's pretty clear, in my mind at least, that Cleveland's not the only team to worry about. LA, you have a lot to worry about!!!

Back to Celtics' Nation, game 5, in a now best of 3 series begins tonight at the Garden at 7:00 on TNT. The Cs need this one. I believe this is the biggest game of this series and Vegas gave the Cs a 7.5 point spread which are a lot of points in what should be a tough fought battle of Warriors!!! And it's always good when you have Vegas on you side -- they were right about Sunday's game.  So hopefully the C's come out with that fire and determination like they did in game 3 which in that case then, I believe they can take anyone. So throw your green on or Celts' jersey and let's kick some butt....

Celtics to Hawks: Get it out of our House posted by Hank Hill

The Celtic's defense showed up huge against the Atlanta Hawks who the C's have beat 3 times this year, but only by a total of 10 points; two of those games the C's won by only 1 point which gives Atlanta the feeling that they can beat the C's especially after last year's 1st round (taking the Celts to 7). But after last night's win, 104-92, having 10 blocks, the C's were sending a message: "get it out of our house".

This big win helps the Celtics maintain the East's second best record, especially with Orlando blowing out Cleveland, and also shows the Atlanta Hawks how good the Celts can be even without Mr. Kevin Garnett. Pierce, Ray Ray, and Rondo were solid as usual with Pierce scoring 21 with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and Rondo scoring 20 with 6 assists and 2 steals, nice!! Meanwhile Perkins dominated the glass with 10 rebounds and 7 blocks as well as Big Baby doing his thing again with 19 points, a steal, and a crazy block, amazing! (The kid gets better with every start.) Then the Celts' bench did what they needed to do, and it was great to see Tony Allen back out there.

So another big win by the Celts. With Cleveland losing maybe it's time they fall off and we take it to the end! Next game is Wednesday, April 8th vs the N.J. Nets at the Garden... Lets keep it up C's and as my boy Matty would say," How 'bout a losing streak for Cleveland in the meantime!"

Boston Celtics Playoff Tickets On Sale Today posted by Hank Hill

The 2009 Playoffs are fast approaching, and now is the time to get your tickets.  The tickets go on sale today for Round 1 of the playoffs for the Boston Celtics. We do not know who we are playing yet, but does it matter? Last year the C's first round was crazy. Everyone, including me, thought the C's would sweep the Atlanta Hawks or that maybe it would go 5, but they took us to game 7.  What a series that was!  So what's going to happen this year? I know that I can't wait to see...  Tickets for home games 1 and 2 will go on sale today, April 3, at 10 a.m.  You can purchase seats by logging onto Celtics.com, by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX (1800-462-2849), or by going the the Garden Box Office.  You are only allowed to buy 4 tickets per person and they are limited so get there early.  Good Luck and lets go Celts.Continue reading "Boston Celtics Playoff Tickets On Sale Today"

Good Prediction...NOT posted by Gus Johnson's Whisper

I predicted Shaq would go to New York and be the latest embarrassment for the Knicks.  You can't blame me.  Admit it, you thought that it made great sense.  It would have been the latest overture in the Isiah symphony.

I have long believed that NBA GMs have a secret contest where they decide who can make the worst decisions.  The Spurs GM is never invited so he gets back at the rest of the league by having the Spurs in title contention every year.  Steve Kerr was on the outside looking in.  He was mad.  Steve wanted to be in that conversation of 'hey, did you see that terrible trade?'  Congrats broseph.  Welcome to the jungle.

Shaq isn't healthy.  While he was in Miami, he talked about shutting it down for the rest of the year.  Now, he's supposed to come back with a team that wants to get a shot off in under 7 seconds?  I have a great recipe for mustard covered chocalate cake.  Oh what's that?  They don't go together?  Shaq labors up and down the court for 26 minutes a night, has to have the ball in his hands to be effective and grinds any offense that thrives on anything besides '4 guys stand around and wait for the double team' to a screeching halt.  Square peg, this is my boy round hole; I'll leave you two to chat.

Hawks acquire Crawford for Law, Claxton (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports